Early Intervention

Early Intervention services are available in Illinois for children from birth to age three, who demonstrate a developmental delay or who are diagnosed with a developmental disability.  These services are accessed through Child & Family Connections agencies located throughout the state.  There are 25 agencies statewide to connect children to Service Providers.  These providers include physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists and many other professionals to help the child develop in the areas of delay. These services can be provided in your home or in a daycare setting. You may also obtain an independent evaluation which has to be taken into consideration in the development of the Family Service Plan (IFSP).  The IFSP is a unique, high specialized, individual plan based upon each child’s area of special need.  An IFSP is only for children ages 0-3. Upon  your child turning 3 the IFSP is then used a tool in the development of the Individual Education Plan (IEP).  The Illinois State Board of Education in conjunction with the Department of Human and Family Services has a workbook titled, When I’m 3 Where Will I Be?  This workbook should be given to you by your service coordinator. Another publication of interest is Tools for School: Related Services and Accommodations for Children with Special Needs. Click here for a link to this Family to Family Health Information and Education Center/Arc of Illinois publication. 

You can search this website to find the Child & Family Connection agency near you by choosing:

1.      Search for Advocacy/Service Providers in the blue box on the left

2.      Select Provider Type: Child & Family Connections

3.      Select County: Your County

Most Child & Family Connection agencies have websites listed along with contact information on their page on this site.

Family Fees are payments by families for Early Intervention (EI) services that are subject to fees.  Not all EI services are subject to fees. You can find a detailed list of services subject to fees in the Family Fee Report you receive from your service coordinator.

The Early Intervention Program requires that families who are able to help pay for their child and family’s EI services do so.  Families who are on Medicaid/Kid Care or WIC, or whose income is at or below 185% of the federal poverty Level are not required to pay a fee. The Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) requirement does not apply to Early Intervention.  The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) says the EI services must be “provided at no cost except where Federal or State law provides for a system of payments by families, including a schedule of sliding fees, “(Section 632(B))

If your out of pocket expense is more that 7.5% of your annual income, you may use that amount as a tax deduction.  Click here for a link to the Family to Family Health Information and Education publication regarding this tax deduction.